inward

1 of 3

adjective

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

1

: situated on the inside : inner

2

a

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

inward peace

b

: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3

: marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4

: directed toward the interior

inward

2 of 3

adverb

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz 

1

: toward the inside, center, or interior

2

: toward the inner being

inward

3 of 3

noun

1

: something that is inward

2

inwards ˈin-ərdz  -wərdz  plural : innards

Synonyms of inward

Adjective

• inner
• interior
• internal

Noun

• inside(s)
• viscera
• innards
• gut
• entrails
• vitals
• bowel(s)
• intestine(s)

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Adjective

moved towards the inward room for more privacy

he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Adverb

The window faces inward toward the courtyard.

He turned his attention inward.

Noun

the hunter cleaned the deer by slicing open the belly and removing the inwards

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But the inward focus also reflects China’s economic reality. —John Liu, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026

White dwarfs are the type of stellar corpses that are left behind when stars with similar masses as the sun run out of hydrogen in their cores and can no longer generate the energy to support themselves against the inward push of their own gravity. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Adverb

Aries season turns you inward with purpose. —Usa Today, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026

There’s always an excuse—and very little self-reflection—whereas forward-thinkers will approach setbacks by looking inward. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026

Noun

There’s a prevalent trend in contemporary documentary filmmaking where directors are looking inwards towards their own lives and experiences. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026

Too much direct sunlight can burn this plant’s leaves and also cause the leaves to curl inwards. —Cori Sears, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard -ward entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inward

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

1

: situated on the inside : inner

2

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

an inward peace

3

: directed toward the interior

an inward flow

inward

2 of 2 adverb

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz 

1

: toward the inside, center, or interior

2

: toward the mind or spirit